L'Exil...est retourné!

Inshallah (god willing) we all have a suoerb Xmas! Egypt is rocking, lots of history, great food, felluccas, rubble, flies...off to see a super tacky sound and light show now...woo hoo! Damn it is so good to be on holiday!!!

What's this all about? In no way is that fair. What sort of twisted torture is this? Why would you do that to me? I couldn't make one of these to save my life. I guess all I can say is that at least it doesn't have kiwifruit on it...

Here is what is wrong and yet, oddly, what is so fascinating and enthralling about NZ cricket - "...with Parlane especially severe on the Otago attack. He smacked 13 four's in his 57 before Bradley Scott bowled him." What's that all about then? He made his 50 off 75 balls...He only ran the length of the pitch five times! But then he is a tubby old Parlane... I guess that's what you can love about cricket, even the fatties get a chance. Look at Inzamam ul Haq, Arjuna Ranatunga, WG Grace even...a game for all shapes and sizes - what about Bruce Reid?! Adam Gilchrist's ears. I still think if Macca set his mind to it, he could be NZ's most devastating wood chopper. He's got the technique already...

An excerpt from ‘The Princess Bride’: VIZZINI Now, a clever man would put the poison into his own goblet, because he would know that only a great fool would reach for what he was given. I'm not a great fool, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of you. But you must have known I was not a great fool; you would have counted on it, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of me. MAN IN BLACK (And now there's a trace of nervousness beginning) You've made your decision then7 VIZZINI Not remotely. Because iocane comes from Australia, as everyone knows. And Australia is entirely peopled with criminals. And criminals are used to having people not trust them, as you are not trusted by me. So I can clearly not choose the wine in front of you. MAN IN BLACK Truly, you have a dizzying intellect.

[Narrator] Twas a pretty standard night out in the Beverley town on Friday night. Young Tom put his glad rags on and hit the town with the Admin Support team from work.  Bev from Beverley (pretty dolly bird) was there leading the night, and looking exactly like young Tom expected her to look like – oddly inviting.   Young Tom realised that night how little he knew about her.  She’s one of those girls that likes to be ‘looked after.’  You know what I mean – both emotionally and financially high maintenance, but damn fine.  She’s a great girl, but Tom reconsiders his attraction and contemplates either changing tack or giving up the chase altogether. He’s not really sure she’s his type…so crashed and burned with her. And of course with the pretty one, there’s always the ‘Fat Controller’ as one of Tom’s old school friends so eloquently phrases it (I’m not sure if Thomas the Tank Engine is the right analogy, but never mind). The Fat Controlle...

Sez and Rach left yesterday to go back down to Seaford to stay with Granny Helme, so I’ve been at home by myself for over a day! No more meals cooked for me when I got home from work, no more entertaining arguments (unless you count those ones I have with myself), no more branding wars in the lounge.  The lounge got a good workout; I think they were scared to go outside because it has been so cold. But seriously, I think they are just ready to go home. We are all hanging out for Egypt, but they are hanging out for summer even more. So…four more nights to go ‘til we fly out to that big sandy beach. I’m looking forward to getting away now. I have basically just been going to meetings solidly for the last month I think, haven’t had time to do any work, write anything productive. Work now has the full compliment of staff (apart from my team, where we need two more sustainable development officers – not sure what they’re going to do because not even I know?!).  new manage...

I couldn't take them to Egypt wif me...Mmm...pineapple lumps, Mr W's sour worms, Pixie Caramel, Get more go a Moro! New poly propylene with thumb holes in the sleeves! New undies (and exactly the same as my holy pair)! And my calendar of the Mount to remind me what December is supposed to look like. Rock on! My whanau are awesome.

I have nothing to say about the NZ 'cricket' team. Except that I still believe Craig McMillan would make a better woodchopper than batsmen. At least when they wer in the beige, they loooked cool and THEN they got spanked. But then, England lost to the dirty, cheating Paki's.

I think its all about politics. If there's one thing i'm learning to do in this job, it's probably to speak up more when things are rubbish. And because i'm a foreigner I can get away with doing it in a less subtle manner. Plus I can be totally objective about it. Well almost anyway..."In NZ we go about this particular like this...". I now appreciate the Resource Management Act for its organisational qualities at least. The thing that sums England up is this: "Why don't we produce a plan for this really good idea?!" OK now we've got the plan, we seem to have run out of money to do anything with the plan. Oh well. Let's do another one. We've got no money? Shall we head down t'pub then? I can going to be a grey haired alcoholic by the time I leave here. Unless I go tomorrow...ahhh the freedom to be will o' the wisp. I was filling out some form the other day and it wanted to know what nationality I was - White English, White Euro...

Sez and Rach coming up to visit this weekend. Think I might buy their van if they are heading home in the New Year.

Murrayfield, field of Scotch dreams. Big cheers. All Black bumbling. And a heated pitch. Softies...and I thought they wore skirts in the sleet! My trip up to Scotland was a series of misadventures really. booked one too many trains because I had forgotten about the Franz Ferdinand at the Hull Ice Arena on Friday night. Not bad. Keep an eye out for the Editors, they were better than the Franz - although the encore was outstanding. Hit the town in Hull after. Scary. Encountered one of those situations where someone you really dont want to, comes up to you and starts playing with your hair. "Get away!". Anyone with curly hair will understand this occasional curse/blessing (very fickle). Got on the train after missing my bus from Beverley at some riduculous hour the next morning. Jacko came and picked me up. And he just happened to bring his cousin, a fella by the name of jonothan findon who also worked at EBOP - I remember seeing his leaving party invite and saying "Who...

Sometimes you just wonder where all those days go...my answer: meetings. I am a professional meeting goer at the moment, a connoisseur of pies, pastries, sandwiches, coffee (always rubbish), professional smooth talker - "yes, yes the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan is crap, but we are new and blah, blah....we have ideas!", expert passenger/driver etc...I think i just sit on my arse all day actually. But I get paid. Today's one was the Humber Estuary conference 2005 - apparently there are 22 acronyms beginning with 'H' to do with the Humber...ha! I knew it. My new boss started on Monday, and I met her today at this conference...brilliant.But I get paid. Well. Proper.

Crikey it's cold. The fog has really set in. Today you just couldn't see a thing as we were driving back from the beach. It's a bit like practising for wintering over in Antarctica, you don't see the sun for days on end. I found myself sitting back down to work again this afternoon ready to go...and it was 6pm! What was I doing? I had no idea of the time because there is no frame of reference. The sun is rising at 750am and setting at 3.50pm. Apparently. moan, moan, whinge, whinge. I must be English. Or 'Engrish' as Pansy Wong would say.

Man I haven't been down to the windmill for an eternity...it seems like an eternity. However, you will all be pleased to note that I duly completed a session of family bonding over the weekend with my older, but notably shorter sister down in Hackney - home of thhe 2012 Olympics (close enough anyway). We watched some bastard referee try and ruin the Grand Slam for us by pulling out a few yellows. "It was like being at Heathrow all over again, there were so many yellow cards flying around" - thanks JC (that's Jerry Collins, not the other big fella). Gave a good bit of gyp to the locals in a local bar. After we finally made it. My notorious sister was her usual self and turned up with 20 minutes already gone - after I had arrived (admittedly a little unexpectedly) on late Friday night. Still got a good spade in on her flattie (a.k.a WonderWoman). So the Guinness flowed. My goodness you say. And it flowed. And flowed some more. Then a few of us hit the highlights of D...

Whistling tourettes.

That's more like it. Man, why does the first day of the week seem like the longest? Today was a battle. Never had a chance to get anything productive done. Management blows. It must be like having kids..."Excuse me Tom, just one more question..." Think I might just give him some crayons and newsheet. The new pool has opened down the road. Corporate membership for Council staff at £15/month with use of everything - pool, gym, classes, courts. Have set meself up for a training programme with 'Les' the ex-Army gym instructor for Thursday night. Just what I need I reckon. This is a big commitment for me, a 12 month fixed term contract at the gym. Can I last? Pwace your bets! Armistice Day: Just to change subject completely, those war heroes are just that. I can't imagine what that would have been like. Respect. Will we ever get sick of war? watching movies about war? Reliving old tales? Is war personal? Will that scale of war ever happen again? What's it like?...

Well I woke up this morning with the dry horrors. A function of my Sunday at the Windmill Inn, my new local, and also the Guinness. As you know I was a bit naughty and had three pints at lunch, so by 4.30pm (it was dark) I was in there again doing the Tom version of chatting up Laura. Sorry no photo. Let's just say there is a fan heater behind the bar and she has looong, brown hair and a nice...well I digress. And she serves beer. Perfect. She's this weeks distraction - except we could talk for hours. So I spent most of Friday night in there, meeting all the locals including the owners' mother who was quite intoxicated and proceeded to tell me how rich she was (for what purpose?) and that she used to live in Spain, all the while continuing to twitch her mouth to one side whilst pursing her lips every few seconds. Audrey. I was very polite. And then there's old man George and his black labrador Mary who gets up on the bar. He's in there every day. So I was back agai...

Matt and I at peace in the Erotica Museum Cruising round the 'Dam

Why does that seem some how disappointing? 45-7. I wanted nil. I can see now Ma'a Nonu being made a scapegoat out of by the IRB. An absolute canter. Does that make Ireland move into the second division now? Should do. Have the All Blacks ever played the Maori? They would beat the Irish as well.

Wales v. Fiji. Fiji wuz robbed. They had a guy sent off with 10 minutes to go, and at that stage were up 10-8, looking like taking the victory. The Welsh stole the game with a drop-goal with 5 to go. When will the unleash the Fijian rugby? Why doesn't someone pour huge dollars into them, someone like Nike.. . They would be unstoppable. I'd back 'em. And we've got Sivivatu and Rokocoko...Big day for Nick Evans today. And I'm sure Jason 'bogan' Eaton from the 'Naki. Great haircut that. Last game for Ireland at Lansdowne Road, fisrt victory perhaps? John Afoa...? What happened to Campbell Johnstone?

Well, am about to sit down to watch the AB's take on the Irish at the burnt out Lansdowne Road, on FREE-TO-AIR BBC1. Now that's what I call a government, protecting the viewers rights by protecting only a slect few sporting events (such as Wimbledon, rugby, football internationals). Last night was an interesting exercise. Went down to the Windmill Inn at lunchtime and had three pints (poor form I know) and then went back to "work". Meanwhile had spotted a lovely young lass from Swansea serving at the bar. Laura. I wasn't sure about going back to the Windmill on my own after work (no-one wanted to come with) but I went anyway. Damn straight too. I proceeded to get to know this gorgeous creature whose currently finishing her MA in modern film (not only beautiful, but able to hold her end of a conversation up) for the next few hours. Bit like that Streets song, she was playing wif her hair, and I thought i was probably in, like. Alas, she has a 45 yr old boyfriend...

Talkin' to ma woman in a phone booth in the Erotica Museum in the red light district. Made it back. Was a bit dicey for awhile there. Observation on British workspace: I can now see why the term 'colleague' was invented. It's a very different vibe at work, seems to be difficult to make the transition from colleague to friend. Maybe that's just the English. It's a bit weird though.

so far so good. it's been an interesting few days. plenty stories to tell, probably most of them just moments of madness and not funny at all. good times. have been to a few of the sites. you have to have bikes. except when it rains. and the tramlines work really well as extreme bike routes. wellington could learn from here - get into action transport planners on building us real cycle lanes! managed to buy a few pieces of woollen clothing which have been great already. totally soaked though. we were supposed to be going to a salsa party tonight except kitty a friend i met in tahiti couldn't make it. i only told her i was here last night, so not the best form. thank christ we got turned away from the casino instead because matt didn't have his ID. could have been expensive. very nice city. worth a visit in the summer to cycle around out of the city.

well its been intersting so far, matt and i got on the trainfrom Scipol airportwithouta tiket, quite blase about getting caught and sure enough we did - 35 euro fine later (should have been 35 each). Nice one. that night we found a great jazzbar, and were sitting right up the front. thse guys were just going off, you sould have seen the sax player, and the facials of the pianist. it was brilliant. love random nights like that. yesterday went to he van gogh museum in the morning (i bought some "irises" and found out that van gogh was called the 'garden gnome' by his artist friends when in antwerp because of his red beard and predilection for flowers), and to see wallace and gromit in the afternoon (after going to a smart shop of course) - the girl we bought the tickets off for the movie told us we had to hide our beers better, and when we finish them take them out with us! i thought that was nice. she didn't know about the whisky though... Tonight is red light ni...

You're right bro, I do have to check the number of the house I'm putting my key into when I'm coming home. Coro Street style. Luckily some bright spark also decided that all the front doors should be painted different colours. I had this strange sensation come over me today at about 4pm. It was darker than usual because it was raining and overcast, and I was looking out the window thinking (not so unusual)...that it feels like I'm working late, I should be at home. In the Mount, if it was dark, you went home. Now I feel like I'm chained in. I just left today. I'd done enough for a mallowpuff. I love this sign...

Well i've just finished writing a presentation to some random group of Senior Managers at the Council, on a flood risk strategy that I know bugger all about, for places i've never heard of and will probably never get to - and all for the princely sum of £29k per year. Might as well be out on the street. Got some new picks for the guitar, The Lambinator is still looking hot, and Amsterdamage is around the corner. What's up with this - i went into the cafe over the road from County Hall today and asked for a double shot latte, and the women asked me if whether that would be decaf or not!? Nice one.

Excellent. Off to Amsterdam on Thursday with the flattie. Should be fun. Flying out from Leeds for about £77 return, £28 parking - so not bad value really. The other option was to take the ferry, but funnily enough it was more expensive and took longer (whilst simultaneously pumpipng far more tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere). Staying at a hostel called the 'Flying Pig' - very appropriate. Anyone got any must see's in Amsterdam?

The Beverley Beck at sunset. My house is down the end on the right hand side.

Ma and Pa out on the Thames for a summer cruise. The blisters in the bar after our dinner out in London - Cint and Ellie Now that is a nice family photo isn't it? Ma and Pa and Ellie in front of the Grand Hotel in Scarborough - just up the road from where I live (about 50 miles).

Have awoken to another glorious day in Beverley. The fishermen are out on the Beck with their wide umbrellas, fishing for goldfish (by the kilo apparently), and the rain is falling slightly. Things are coming together nicely here now. Have got the interweb set up, so feel a bit more in touch with the outside world. Matt (flattie) has finally got around to unpacking some of his boxes and the lounge is taking shape with a few more bookcases to cover the bare walls. Still a little bored up here on the weekends. Am waiting for the new Beverley Pool to open so I can go swimming and get fit again. I quite miss swimming actually. And having the beach across the road. Not to mention the Mount's unique climate. Ahh the memories... What's happening this summer? Hahei?

Mum was right.

Welcome to Cambodia. Where dust rules, and the chequed Pol Pot scarf comes in real handy. This was by far my favourite country on this trip (Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam in January 2005). Very friendly and upbeat for a country that had the population of NZ annihilated in the space of three years, sometimes just for wearing spectacles. This was the scene of 'the Mette incident' in the hospital in Phnom Penh. This was taken at a road stop/Flat Hills type place on the way into our 7 hour, 130km journey from the border at Poipet to Siem Reap/Angkor Wat. This is actually a hairdressers stall on the road out to the killing fields near Phnom Penh. New George Janis franchise...? What soon became the obligatory happy kids shot...near Poipet. Also home of at least 7 casinos all taking advantage of tax breaks between borders of Thailand and Cambodia. How cool is this? Tomb Raider. This is Angkor Wat. One os a series of massive palace complexes built by successive rulers to hon...

it's taken me awhile but here are some photos from Vietnam. The top two are both in Halong Bay (World Heritage Site), made famous by a Bond movie. Really relaxing place once you got away from all the other boats. That is the view from a massive cave complex we went into. All the rubbish bins were in the form of penguins with bow ties...! Go figure. We had a junk lke that all to ourselves. The other photo is Rich and I paddling. This photo is a classic 'japanese tourist' shot - except in Hanoi, near Uncle Ho's mausoleum.

Things are in a right pickle over here. The government is in the throes of pulling together a Marine Bill for the management of the seas of the UK. I’ve just been to a conference down in London at the London University’s SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) discussing these issues. There are so many laws relating to the sea, the coast, coastal margins etc… over here it is ridiculous. Inshore fisheries (out to 6 nautical miles) management is rooted in legislation dating back to 1882. What they need is a complete overhaul of the framework of the marine management system, not some cop-out solution that stays within the confines of previous mistakes. Now combine this myriad of legislation and other policies with me, myself and Irene who are in charge of managing coastal policy in the East Yorkshire. I am having enough trouble getting my head around what’s existing without any support, let alone trying to actually achieve something useful and bring a bit of NZ practicality to...

ooh! i've had fun today. it was wear pink day to support breast cancer awareness. worthy cause, so i hoppped down to superpound store last night after work and bougt me a pair of pink slippers for £1. bargain. then proceeded to cuth the toes off them to convert them into jandals/thongs becasue they wouldn't fit. basically just a bleary, boozy day at the office. BUT i got to meet (sort of) Beverley from Beverley (a.k.a the HOT chick). And she's single, and she's local, and she doesn't work in the same area as me, and she giggles...got to love a giggler. weird thing is..i can't wait to go to work next week! I think tonight could be messy. my first big night out on the town in Beverley with randoms. holding me back is my excessive spending this month - i have £100 to last me til thhe end of the month, including a 4 day weekend in london. Oh dear. I can only blame Egypt and Dell Computers...and MasterCard. Priceless my arse.

It’s Grand Slam time for Tommy! Been talking with an old mate. Let’s call him Andrew Jackson, and let’s say he’s also really tall, he might have blonde hair, and he might have gone to SPC in the same year as me…Well the plan is to head up to Scotland, Murrayfield to go see the AB’s take the Grand Slam. And we’ve got a student discount card for the pub!

So there’s annoying mum – she’s left the office “What are u up to? What are you up to now?” Me - “What do they pay you for?”. There’s also blonde chick. She’s a phenomenon, I’ve never actually seen her but she used to go to gym classes with him. Then there’s café girl, there’s always a café girl. Haven’t see her for awhile. Then there’s Mrs Anal from next door “Your car’s parked in my space”, “What about all those other spaces just over the other side of the lot?”. Yep, so that puts her in a little box. Then there’s gadget-man. This guy’s got everything – numerous different lawnmowers, a new model mini with a cover, and the there’s his Land Rover. £10 says he’s got the best home theatre on the block! Work: There’s Scooby-Doo, a.k.a Tourette’s whistler. He’s an old sea dog, loves a pint or two, and then when it’s really quiet – he just ups and whistles, or sings “Scooby dooby doo,” in a skat jazz theme. Love ‘im. Then there’s Hot Chick. There’s always a hot chick. And she ...

I’ve just had another look at some of the work I’ve been doing at ERYC – it’s all jargon and utter crap! It’s like someone has invented a new language just for natural resource management – all my work is acronyms! Or at least trying to decipher acronyms…SMP2, HECAG, HERAG, CSDMT, CMT, SMT, ICZM. You should have seen my first meeting – every five minutes “What does that stand for?” They’ve even accepted that “Defra” (stands for the ‘Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’) should not be spelled DEFRA, but like ‘Defra,’.…because its now become a word! English is constantly evolving – but it just seems to be getting shorter. Txting has a lot to do with the new desire for letter economy, not so much word economy, but the ability to use the least amount of words to get a point across.

I like this theme of things I learnt in the weekend. 1. Kiwifruit and banana smoothies are the bomb. 2. Dishes don't do themselves. 3. Still can't roll... 4. The 'Blue Planet' is one of the best documentary series ever. In some cases it took them over 400 dyas to get some of those shots - like the killer whales rounding up and killing the baby Grey Whale for its tongue and lower jaw only. Freaking amazin'. 5. Peter Kay is incredibly funny. 6. A weekend in Beverley with no mates is the perfect antidote for a weekend in London. 7. Hacky sack is like yoga for boys. "I feel so limber...". That's my idea for a music video - film a group playing hacky and then edit the hacky itself out. Then you've got people just doing crazy things with their legs! Brilliant. Nuff said.

I've sucked the kumara and bought me a shiny new laptop...fingers crossed that Dell comes through with the goods in the next two weeks. Shout outs also go to HSBC for helping a brother with his shady deals. Also getting me the internet hook ups. Cher.

I had a weird dream last night. Dreamt I was in a compound, not just any compound, but Britney Spears’ compound in rural America. And I was stuck inside. Listening to her concerts. There were lots of other people there, but I couldn’t find a way out. I managed to get out of the house. And was running across the fields. At that time there were also mock battles being staged – tanks, explosions, gunfire etc…And then it turned into the Krypton Factor. But let me backtrack a little. At this stage I was being chased by a gun-toting Britney. She was dressed up in this rally gothic looking lace outfit [she didn’t look too bad admittedly] holding a high-powered snipers rifle. So there I was ducking and weaving through a battlefield being chased by Britney Spears out to knock my block off. You think that’s weird. Somehow while crawling underneath some wires army-style [enter the Krypton Factor] I managed to get stuck. [Author note: maybe my subconscious is telling me that one run per...

Couldn't be bothered getting out of bed this morning, so was half an hour late for work - started at 8am instead of 7.30am. I must normally dawdle to work becasue today it took me only about 10 minutes of power walking. Heading off to a meeting in york this mornig by bus...as you do when you are im-mobile. Then tomorrow am heading down to London to catch up with the blisters, which I'm looking forward to. the last few days have just been totally greyed-out. If youn were waiting for the sun to get up before you, you'd be in bed all day.

Is this the pinnacle of my career? Have I peaked too soon? What is THE OFFICE? Why am I here? What’s stopping me from driving from Portugal to Shanghai? Or Lapland to Cape Town? Or Alaska to Argentina? I want adventure! When I stare at my computer screen I see....??

Today was my compressed day off. So as you do when you are young, impressionable, carefree – I went down to Hull (pronounced ‘Holl’, equivalent to ‘Hole’)…to go shopping. The sort of shopping spree I went on today would make some go pale. It was quite invigorating spending lots of money really quickly. Shopping is still a chore though, for me and for most men. I felt like a bit of a metrosexual with al my shopping bags walking through the Chav capital of the world. Just need a shave…And no I didn’t buy any tracksuits and goldie lookin’ chains, no sneakers, and certainly no run-of-the-mill spiky haircut with the Kevin Pieterson badger add-ons. Spent about £200 though on new work, play clothes. Much needed. Once you start it’s hard to stop aye girls…??!! I was worn out after two hours. More power to you Cint - I definitely couldn’t shop for two weeks straight. I had to laugh thogh, the first big shopping session I’ve ever really done – and it was in Hull...Nice. I am one classy guy. Y...

So Hull FC lost 71-0 on the weekend to Bradford, Stephen Kearney got sent off in his last game possibly for ever after only 7 minutes. Lesley Vainikolo scored 4 tries – they can’t get enough of him over here. They always have the discussion as to whether he or Jonah is the best, for me not even a comparison. Jonah by a whale.

Actually the pubs within my immediate surrounds are quite laid back, very working class. Today at the Foresters Arms there was the prizegiving for the local angling competition in the Beck. Basically a goldfish catching competition except they do it by the pound. I went there to watch Liverpool play – yet again I have adopted another loser team – like Wellington NPC. Liverpool just can’t buy a goal. I think the best thing for them would be if they lost Gerrard and learnt how to play when he isn’t there. It’s a Newcastle thing – good when Joey Johns is playing but then what happens…? It was basically me and a bunch of local yokels. You can always have a yarn to them.

What a blast! (Beverley styles) Had a pretty good night at ‘The Sloop’ which is my local pub across the Beck. Met a dude named Scot who is the local sports reporter for the Hull Daily Mail. Cricket. Brilliant. These poms can’t handle their Stella Artois at all. Spent the afternoon in York, after talking to Snuffy for the morning. Always entertaining. Walked the walls, saw the York Minster and some random busker with a PIANO playing Les Miserables. Really cool. Otherwise York was just another ye olde English town – city walls, big church, market, nothing extraordinary. Maybe Ireland should be the next trip? Maybe the Lansdowne Road test…

Not much new really. This is the first weekend I feel like i'm going to be in Beverley. Speaking off which there is a real hottie that works over in financial support, called Bev... Yeah so this weekend, I think I will look at getting a home phone line, then maybe the internet. Apparently I can us the work laptop at home, so that could save me some hassles in the meantime.

Girlfriends vs. friends that are girls? A classic Tom dilemma. Not so much a dilemma as more of a bottomless trap. it's always the nice girls who flirt and are taken, and the slappers that come across as desperate and needy (maybe i sound like that...?). anyway, i have this uncanny ability to make friends with girls really easily, but then...where does that leave you? and what about me? all through school, varsity, work, travels - i have a trail of girls, girls' phone numbers, and opportunities that have long since passed. there was sally, sarah, lucy, robyn, kate, katharine, kat (is there a recurring theme here?) etc...schit i don't even remember half of them now. which is bad. mmm-kay. I think i am a serial friend-ist. Doh. this theme definitely needs to be explored further.

things seem to be getting slowly more orderd in my life now. having taken on this new job i thought was going to be just plain chaos, but it is more ordered chaos after a few good discussions with the boss. another good thing she told me (after i said i felt the East Riding should pay for my visa) was that if i gaver her 12 months then that would be sweet. so that's it folks, i'm here for a good time, not a long time. another front has also opened up. some of you may know that i have always wanted to do a PhD, well i have found the perfect place. Ulster University on the north coast of Ireland. it's a place i have previously looked at, as a coastal guru who recently passed away used to be there. they have a good rep. check it out Centre for Coastal and Marine Research Anyway, thats the plan - as for funding, topics etc... who knows? i have just started dialogue with the people there. then i really would be irish, have a million kids, feed them chips and drink my lion's...

How good would it have been to go to a Beatles concert? A guy at my work said he had been and I was jealous. Did you go to one Ma? Her is my gypt trip details... Link it up we leave on Dec 15 - 31st. Me, Sez and Rach, and some of those big pipes with apple flavoured tobacco. I don't smoke realy...!! i think you have to make exceptions for this sort of thing, it's a oncer. Unless of course I buy one. JJ - what did you win on the Scoop election pick? a years supply of brown suits, a new briefcase, wind-proof umbrella, your own caricature at the Backbencher?

I wrote a long blog on the train up to Edinburgh the other day - but I havene't had a chance to get it off the work laptop. Anyway, gots me a new job ow! sweet. More pressure, more work, more money. and the want me to pay for my own work permit which could be a coule of grand - i think i might think long and hard about that one. was good to talk to the whanau this morning, what great timing to ring! My ear was ringing after that - 80 minutes on the phone! It's like having a long sistance girlfriend. Am on my way to london today, missed the train at 1.05 because as of today they no longer exist. choice. so tuck at my favourite coffee house in Hole...sorry Hull. Espresso doble's por favor. TT you are a great striker amigo, Real Madrid will be calling soon. Congrats you two. Have been trying to check out tickets for the Cricket World Cup - but they have no info until later on in the year. Looks like it wil be a March/April thing in 2007. Think I might go diving in Belize or s...

Shawn of the Dead – great flick. Real good piss take of British society. I couldn’t help but draw the analogy with ‘The Office’ and its too-close-to-home humour (it's really true isn't it?). In the UK everybody that comes to the office are clones, same brick houses, same ties and shirts (always purple – how gay is that?). What happened to individuality? Well, at least its not boat shoes, moleskins and Airtex I suppose… Speaking of which, apparently there are real fashion police on the border of France that are regularly checking for ‘fakes’ – fake Gucci, Prada etc…and they know! People are getting pinged for buying fake goods. Now all I can imagine is that anyone that’s been to Thailand would have to walk that border control virtually naked…no more Playboy shirt, genuine imitation Rolex, fake Levis…tragedy.

My new theory: working lunchtimes are a form of parole. It is such a relief to get out of the orifice. PART I: I think the honeymoon is over. My email box is filling faster than I can delete ‘em – always a good indicator of where you’re at. I have crossed the bridge that you get to just after you think you can do everything. You get that feeling of resignation, resigned to the fact that it’s all too complicated, too hard, too much. Who cares? It’s only England. It’s not like it’s my coastline, my kids aren’t going to see it. Some people get so worked up... All the same, a bloody good challenge. Got my interview for the old ‘line manager’s’ job in about half an hour. Still haven’t decided if I want it. I think I could help. The extra £5k would help me too. Have to do a presentation on ‘Sustainable communities’ – what are they? Exactly. PART II: What’s up with two-part interview questions that are so long, you forget the first half? Interview went well, was totally honest with ...

I though this was very clever... "European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility. As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in plan that would become known as "Euro-English". In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c". Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard "c" will be dropped in favour of "k". This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter. There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when the troublesome "ph" will be replaced with "f". This will make words like fotograf 20% shorter. In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possibl...

Geez, they love their committees over here. "In typical British fashion a committee was set up to consider flood defences, particularly in London. As a result, 30 years later, the Thames Barrier was built." This quote was talking about the after effects of a flood disaster in northern Wales in 1953. Here’s a serious question: can I resist the temptation to take the piss for one week? But I love winding people up (as I’m sure you all know). Sarcasm is my ONLY form of wit. Take England losing the recent soccer (can’t quite say football) loss to a ‘national’ team from Northern Ireland. What’s up with that? It would be like us fielding a Maori rugby in the Rugby World Cup, or a Chatham Islands team cunningly concealing our ‘B’ team so we have two chances at glory (or more likely twice the pain). The national game is not football, the national game is losing. And then whinging. And losing again. Until one glorious victory (1966 soccer World Cup, 2003 Rugby World Cup, the po...

That was Andre 3000. Just another day at the office. Have somehow managed to contract a mild form of that lovely little infection called ‘conjunctivitis’. So now am having to get used to wearing specs all day again. As old sir randall elliot used to say “I don’t think you could land a plane with those eyes”. Totally bored today. In that state of mind where you start thinking “what am I doing here?”. I could be living large somewhere else. Maybe I should. Still need some cash though.

I gotta stop doing this, you guys must be getting annoyed (or blase) about all this. New personal mobile phone (including the obligatory ALPHA account so I can phone home for 3p/min) - 0044 77 38005579 . Ellie is reclaiming her old phone. DELETE ALL OLD NUMBERS

Bought me a laptop yesterday with my good ol' NZ credit card - hope it arrives in the post now. Looks like the Combi has fallen through (so to speak)...floor is rusted through and needs about £600 worth of work just to get it to near WOF standard, sooo...Plan B. Housewarming on Saturday night up at the Beckside villa - should be a laugh. And i'm dead keen to go to Parkers - everyone has told me not to go, not to even think about it, just dodgy. Full of 'squaddies' (Army boys), 15 year olds, and 40 year olds - fantastic. Just so long as I don't go on my own. Got my Spain trip coming up. Madrid from Sept 15 to 19 with a few of the SPC boys (Brian, Cam and Matt) - Thailand Round 2. Booked in an Egypt trip with sez and rach for the end of December. Rocking in the Red Sea resorts! BOOm, BOOM - shake, shake da room. PS. I have a cool guitar.

I don't know which way to vote...should I vote tactically and go with winston to deny National an extra seat and then give Winston the power brokers chair that he so covets. Or go with Bob the Builder (who admittedly has got a great gung-ho attitude, at least in my dealings with him through EBOP), thereby giving National the extra seat, getting rid of NZ First. I still want Labour to win, basically because Don Brash is an idiot. No thanks to the nerdy economist leading my country! Plus I know my vote will swing it... Ahhh forget it, just vote Green all the way (couldn't find an econmic policy on their website - but I guess that is the beauty of MMP - it doesn't matter!)

"About 140 years ago, a particularly notorious warlike chief named Te Rauparaha of the Ngati Toa tribe, was being chased by his enemies. He hid in a kumara pit and waited in the dark for his pursuers to find him. He heard sounds above and thought he was done for when the top of the pit was opened up and sunshine flooded in. He was blinded and struggled to see those about to slay him. When his sight cleared he instead saw the hairy legs of the local chief (reputed to have been exceptionally hirsute) who had hid him. Te Rauparaha is said to have jumped from the pit and performed this haka on the spot, so happy was he to have escaped." Thanks to some random website (and Google) - the flatty's story of the hobbit being rescued from the well appears to have substance... KA MATE KA MATE It is death It is death KA ORA KA ORA It is life It is life KA MATE KA MATE It is death It is death KA ORA KA ORA It is life It is life TENEI TE TANGATA PUHURUHURU This is the hairy m...

Somalian arrives in Manukau City as a new immigrant to New Zealand. He stops the first person he sees walking down the street and says, "Thank you Mr.NewZealandman for letting me in this country!" But the passer-by says "You are mistaken, I am a Pakistani". The man goes on and encounters another passer-by. "Thank you for having such a beautiful country here in New Zealand!" The person says "I noKiwi. I flom Hong Kong" The new arrival walks further, and the next person he sees he stops, shakes his hand and says "Thank you for the wonderful Kiwiland!" That person puts up his hand and says "I am from Iran, I amnot Kiwi!" He finally sees a nice lady and asks suspiciously, "Are you a New Zealand citizen?" She says, "No, I from Tonga!" So he is puzzled, and asks her, "Where are all the New Zealanders?" The Tongan lady looks at her watch, shrugs, and says... "Probably at work."

What a weekend! down to london for my first long weekend away - went to a concert 'get loaded in the park' (with fat boy slim and the happy mondays) courtesy of some dodgy scalpers tickets, went to a party on board the st catherine (a boat moored near embankment on the thames) with a whole bunch of saffas. then monday went up to the notting hill carnival for the rasta experience. there were posses, guys running and weaving down the street waving big bags of dope yelling 'hash, marajuana, and dope' at the top of their voices. total rip off. and i have never seen so many police officers - laid back despite a heavy presence. there were these two guys performing out their window to a good sized crowd just totally off the cuff. then there was the breakdancing battle - i don't think i've ever seen a guy with arms as strong as the guy that took it out. he didn't even need legs. amazing atmosphere. and then, get this...my flatie was telling me (and he's only the...

A few more random photos from around the place - London, Tahiti, some other place... Tower Bridge The view from the Tate Modern across to old St Pauls via the Millenium Bridge Winchester Cathedral on a trip with Sez and Rach Guess...? Mum'll know Freddie the Swedish Chef holding a small nipper in Tahiti I'm loving the macro setting on my camera at this stage - Tahiti again

Why is it that after a few beers things seem so much simpler? I tell you, if I ever get to be manager - the best thing I could have done is instigate this Friday lunchtime drinks thing. Team building at its best. Admittedly today the boys talked mostly about the plight of the Newcastle football (read soccer) team, but hey... And the beers are only £1.29...nuf said.

I've just discovered that there is no records section in this Council, can you imagine 17,000 people just filing their own stuff away in their own folders, where am I going to find anything? Absolutley ridiculous. I now know EBOP had a good system going. To find information over here in an organised fashion is like finding a set of hens teeth. Rare as. It's like everyday I think i've got it sorted, then all of a sudden I come up against another brick wall. And then all the Poms tkae a shortcut around it rather than break it down. Where is the Fantastic Four when you need them? It is sooo frustrating - new kind of job, new country, new "systems", new accents blah, blah, blah. I'm going on holiday to Spain for a weekend in September, then October am organising a boys trip to Amsterdam with the flattie (let's call him Matt) and anyone else who wants to come? - nice. Nothing in Nov yet. December maybe looking at Morocco for Xmas with Rob and Wombat or New York...

well summer has realy kicked in here...yesterday it was hailing and blowing a gale. Had my first site visit up to the northern part of our coastline where we have some seriously high chalk cliffs (like Dover) but with a bit more vegetation on them. Therefore good for the birds like puffins, and the well known great-tit, and little tit (No tomtits - sorry). This was a field trip with English Nature, a bit like the equivalent of DOC at home except no uniforms; who are about to become 'Natural England' - ooooh. Yes, so all very exciting. Until the rain come down. This was a serious North Sea storm (it was probably more like a piddler) but damn it was cold. I was the only guy (read fool) in shorts, my thin as Fairydown, and a cotton shirt. But at least I was the first to dry. And everyone got to know me as the crazy NZer.

I should probably stop writing these at the end of the day, otherwise they are just going to be full of rants about work. Anyway, all paperwork aside (I know still quite a major hurdle to jump) but I have managed to arrange a strategy whereby I work only four days per week, whilst still doing my required 37 hours. This means doing 9 and 1/4 hours per day - but then getting every Monday off. So long weekends here I come! If sustainability is includes resource efficiency, and making the best of what resources you have, eeking the most out of them so to speak - then local governement should lead by example and get rid of all the duplicate jobs, endless policies (we have to fill out a terrorism questionnaire before travelling outside of Yorkshire now - even if we're going to Hull! like Hull is going to be targeted. Only by the anti-chav terror groups seeking to rid the world of another cornerstone of the 'axis of evil - fashion edition') and paper! I'm sure most good ideas ...

Here's a few photos from the Greece trip with Ellie. It was in May so just before summer really kicked off. Feels like ages ago...wish i'd got a photo of Kyrabithres on Paros, but it looked way better on the postcards. Always does. The wonders of Photoshop's ability to Nip/Tuck/Colour. Looking back towards Athens from the ferry - the sea, the city, and a dirty, great smoker Ramshackle-ness Big gay flowers - didn't you know i'm an artiste? Me and big-little sis on the lava island in the middle of Santorini Check out the plumage on these birds! Possibly one of the barren landscapes around and then you get these two... Looking back acorss the caldera toward the lava island and Santorini's main town Looking through the wires of the cable car at Thira on Santorini's main island - like snow on a cliff top. The entrance by ferry to Santorini has got to be one of the most amazing around. Everything is so precarious. Just a pile of really old stones - and another Gre...

I'm going to have to tell you guys about work and all the crap that goes down here, mostly its funny, but at time I'm just pulling my hair out. Which is not good for bald man's island (bald men will know what i'm talking about). The first day I started the big boss (let's cal her Sally) told me that most of the team was ok, but there were still one or two issues. Now of course she didn't tell me who those issues were, so that left me guessing. I ended up not inviting a dude out for lunch with us because I thought it was him (wrong - he's the most laid back dude in the office). Then progressively, everyone else in my office (that's five others) has taken me aside at some stage to bitch about someone else. It appears to be all directed at (let's call her) Mags, who has also taken me aside to bitch about the others. And now i've got an interview for this other post (my current bosses job - who is leaving to go to a consultancy) which I don't rea...

I got me a brand new Bike! well not exactly new, but a 20 year old Coventry Eagle with 5 speeds and perishing tyres. For free! Rock on. Thanks to the poindexter in IT - I have wheels. Only two so far... I'm off out for my first night out in the big smoke - Hull. Might bump into Stephen Kearney.

I finally got round to putting some of these photos up. There are still more to come from Puerto and from Greece too. This however is Mexican life at its finest. Pretty basic, simple pleasures. Doing nothing and getting quite good at it..."Yeah we're leaving tomorrow" was said every day. Never happened. Good crew too. It is amazing how quickly you get into a repetition of lifestyle, routine. I think I was just holding this for someone... View down towards the Mexican pipeline - not pumping, but dangerous swimming. Cicahua - sponsored by HP. Great little deserted beach that needed numerous modes of transport to reach it. And swinging in a hammock for a night was free, just mind the little scorpions, and the thieves... The locals from Chicahua - she can cook a mean omelette. She had a funny name like Aunt Betty or something. Don't think his name was Uncle Ben though. They are actually native Mexicans, and are incredibly poor. Chicahua by night. Flippin' excellent.

It's crap - except for this week (so far) but its now just turned muggy and rain I fear is imminent. I had to buy a brolly for 1 quid the other day to fend off the 'English Summer'. That was one of the chants the Aussies were holding over the Poms at the cricket - at least we've got a summer. Speaking of which, what a series this is turning out to be. Two incredibly close matches, with Stinger at the centre of them both. The Aussies have never been under this sort of pressure before and Ponting is no Steven Waugh, wo, wo, wo what is he good for...Steve Waugh would have finished the job. It's a shame Harmison had to bowl the last few overs instead of Jones, he hasn't really got the maturity to be able to craft a wicket during an over. Bouncers or attempted yorkers. Great stuff. What's this about building bits of Rotorua overseas? Absolute madness, China is just way too big. Fancy being able to build small bits of other countries in your own. But then again, ...

Finally got to use a computer with real internet - the new BBC centre in Hull is free for half an hour, as is the local cafe down the road with the good looking waitress, same old story. My local cafe has 17 different staff...so there must be a bit of luck to be had there...sureley. Lurvley. I tell what else is part of the British psyche - talking about work and not actually doing any! Today I have taken a half day off (paid of course) to go down to Hull and get a National Insurance number (basically another tax or an extension to our ACC payments). Basically all it was was a form I could have filled out with my eyes closed, but instead they had to do it for me, in front of me, and then countersign it blah, blah, blah. Fun times in Bureaucrat land. Of which i am now a member. Can't wait for the first paycheck. Keep up the email news. Did everyone know Zak found a fossil - and it wasn't you Dad!! sorry, couldn't resist. you now you'll miss me. Good innngs so far, but we ...

Well, work over here and for a Council is in the basic respects the same, but in the details entirely different. Politics is a huge part of the Council here - all the local members are party based, and they have both a Counicl Committee and a Cabinet. Different structure. It seems a lot of backstabbing goes on, and everyone is suspicious of everyone else and their motives. All good fun. The structure is inherently complex too, probably because everything is so old and well established. Numerous different pieces of legislation rather than the primary one (like the Resource Management Act back home). My role is basicaly a policy one. I get to formulate the good ideas into nice, fluffy words - no on the ground, outdoors work. There are too many facets of Council for it to be that simple. I'd love to get out there and talk to people myself, but the processes weigh you down. I think this will be great experience, but i'm not sure how long I will last... If the Aussie batting fires t...

How 'bout that record breaking NZ cricket team! But still, wouldn't mind a half decent top order. This is my local - The Lempicka Nice food, better coffee, and great service...It's my new "Bean" - not that I used to just drive down to Whakatane to go for a coffee or anything... This is the White Horse or "Nellies"

Work mobile: +44 77 99642355 Physical Address: 15 Beckside North, Beverley, HU17 0PR Work address: East Riding of Yorkshire Council, County Hall, Beverley, HU17 9BA Still have the old phone until I give it back. No landline as yet.

No not Kevin Senio getting the call up for the AB's...don't be ridiculous, that was obvious! But my very own Combi! That guy that loves his beer at work (the colleague presently known as JK) has a Combi that he needs to get rid of. 34 years old, not old enough to be exempt from road user tax by only a couple of months, body a bit beaten (suits me), no ghetto blaster as he called it, couple of minor things to do like MOT rego etc., but otherwise goes very well and has always done so. And anyway, he can't sell me a lemon 'cos he just sits over there. Nice one Council (ERYC) - new flat, new car - now I just need some money - and there could be further good news with the relocation policy...

The holiday is finaly over...just starting to settle in again. Went for a couple of runs on the weekend to ease the boredom, and those good ol' shin splints obviously decided to jump on the plane with me and follow me over to Beverley. Am going to have to take it easy in my buildup again for the ever present half-marathon. The crew at work all seem to pretty nice, there's JK who likes a good pint of bitter and who together we have instigated the Friday lunchtime piss-up down at Nellies - a local pub with gas fired lights, a rabbit warren of rooms and crooked stairs, not a place for the fire alarm to go off - everyone would end up in the toilet looking for the exit. This place is renowned around the country, let alone the district, as a traditional pub and you can buy a Sam Smiths beer for £1.29. There's at least 45 pubs in Beverley alone (they've just done the re-licensing for longer hours and music nationally), so I should be right.

Frightening stuff this work business. Regular hours, fancy clothes - what have I done? I want my holiday back. Hopefully I can negotiate compressed hours and have a Friday off every fortnight to go exploring. There is no internet in Beverley or apparently in Hull either (must be though). Kingston Communications have a monopoly on the market and there is no BT, therefore internet and broadband is relatively expensive. Internet cafe would be a good idea though. So can't check my emails and don't yet have an account set up within Council. Have found me a flat with a guy from work down by the Beverley Beck/Canal - seems pretty sweet. £270 per calendar month (pcm) and there is just the two of us. Looking at now starting to buy stuff - guitar, laptop, INTERNET, van/wagon...the list goes on. It will be good to have a base again. Got heaps of photos I want to post - will try and do that soon.

That's my Yorkshire accent for 'Beverley'...man, the Yorkshire puddings up here are magnificent. Sorry Mum, but they might just shade yours a little - and they are massive! Was supposed to start work today, but Councils being bureaucracies need to pass all the paperwork first. Hence I start tomorrow after my medical clearance form is through. Everyone seems nice enough. Big, open plan offices though - even the head honcho's share space with the plebs. No pool cars so I need to sort out a vehicle. Am still going to go with a Combi or the van/station wagon deal I think. Was quite nervous and excited at the same time last night and so had a crap sleep. Don't really fell comfortable at the hotel either as it seems to flash for me. But it's a pretending flash, chain hotel - like the Quality. Everything appears as though it should be much better than it is. But i'm not paying, so...what would you do? Might have a flat by tomorrow too if things go swimmingly down b...

Haere mai from Edinburgh! Been here for 2 nights staying at the YHA not far from Toll Cross and Princes Street, great view out over the Scottish flag and the Castle. Freakin' cold though! Apparently it is unseasonably cold...still walking around in jandals though. My new boss has resigned (headhunted) and I have been asked to apply for her position by the big boss (stroke the ego...mmmm....purr) after all, I have absolutely no experience! Choice. The position will be looking after 4-5 others in a brand new Coastal and Sustainable Communities team. Beleive me, I feel like i'm diving head first, Greg Louganis style - well maybe not exactly like him. Had an interesting discussion with a lawyer and two Catholics about homosexuality and morals last night over a bit of Mexican food. A large portion yes. Yesterday we did the Castle tour, the Scottish Whisky Heritage Centre (no free half hour afer that one boys like the Tui brewery). Paid £8.50 for a wee dram of 25 yr old Port Ellen wh...

Great work. Why keep running?

How much talk do the English engage in? First they talk up their rugby chances, then their cricket chances! Walk the walk England... And why are all the doorways made for midgets?

This road train never stops...have been a bit slack lately because have been on the go since I got back from Spain. Arrived back late in the night, then next morning/lunchtime the fam headed off to do the north in a rental Ford Focus - Ma, Pa and wee Ellie. We have been through Hedingham Castle YHA, Beverley Friary YHA, and last night found a B & B in Pilkington. We are basically heading up the east coast to Edinburgh and then looking at coming back down the west coast and through Wales before the others head off to Ireland without me, and I go to work in Beverley for the Council. We have checked out Groton, the home of the Winthrope's and seen the small church where John Winthrope started out and went on to found Boston, Ma. Rock on! Go the Celtics! The travelling situation is just like old times, we are all taking turns in having bad moods, arguments at every intersection, backseat drivers, bags of lollies (no sparkles!), and even crazy walks through the North Yorkshire Moor...

I am struggling to fill in the days here: cafe, walk, beach, sunburned, beers, food, walk, sleep...and again...cést la vie Hasta mañana!

Hola! My spanish is only sufficient to get by, let alone hold a conversation. There´s a hot girl that works at this place "KZgunea", (unpronouncable Euskadi/Basque word) that gives free internet to the citizens of Hondarribia (and me thanks to the nice lady at the turistico office) but I can´t even talk to her. This will not do and must therefore be remedied. Next trip to this corner of the world: camping mission through the beaches and mountains of France and Spain over a few weeks. The campgrounds all seem to be in pretty good spots if you have a car, but i´m not sure if they´re that cheap or what the facilities are like. The Kombi would be ideal - i´ve always wanted one. Throw some bikes in the back, deck it out with leopard skin rugs, furry car seat covers, fluffy dice, a bar...and some drugged up Westies like Stereogram. I guess you could consider the Spanish girls´ haircuts to be Westie-ish... Tomorrow I fly back. Booked a ticket on EasyJet from Bilbao to Stansted for ...

Cruzcampo is not a bad wee drop. I think its the local Basque lager. As for tapas - i´ve had a few but they mostly come with tiny little anchovies and whitebait (inanga)-looking things. Not my style. I had some the first night I got to Spain and proceeded to get a mild form of the runs, but they were readily defeated by the trusty old Immodium. This morning when I got to France I bought a loaf of french bread, some camembert and some "Jambon" of the bone. Tasty and delicious, mm mmm that was a good sandwich. Not sure how the cheese stood up to a day on the beach though...

I went to France this morning...and they didn´t even know I was there. I saw a nudist beach by accident (honest!) as it was up the other end of the beach to which I walked. I was walking to see some pancake looking rocks, well I saw a lot more than pancakes I can assure you. Same old story, mostly old men - just like that holiday park in Nelson "optional nudist park" at Mapua. Thanks again Dad! Hendaya is the beach over the ferry in France, and it is a cracker. It has waves, girls, good sand, a seawall so you can catch a wave out to meet another wave and when they find harmonic motion you get dumped. Great fun. So relaxed. I love the beach. I think after I finish working in Beverley (it´s a place...) then maybe find a real beach somewhere and learn to surf. I think i was born to do it. I love bodysurfing - i´m just not fit enough to stay out longer. And to think all those years at the Mount, across the road from a great beach. You could say i´m dumb and i´m an arse - which a...

Well here I am...made it. Nice place, not too hot. Apparently Spain is having a heatwave, 40 degrees, I thought it was this hot all the time! Staying at my first youth hostel. They make you pay more for the same service if you are over 26 - age-ist bandits!

Not sure exactly why i´m writing this, but here goes...I guess i´ve had time to do a lot of things (like becoming a BLOG geek!) and a lot of thinking recently: The thing I miss most about home is my friends and family. I really miss having someone to talk to , to tell everything to, to listen with an open mind, to not be judgmental, and to not approach from a fixed viewpoint. I never wanted to become one of those solo travellers (especially when you can´t really have a decent conversation with anyone else because you don´t speak their language); like "Lewis" the English/Scottish guy from Phnomh Penh in January. We ridiculed him for being too clingy, almost a little desperate. I don´t want to be that, but I now understand it. But I meet girls and chase them like they are the last ones on earth. Which leads me to believe that maybe I am a little bit lonely? Admittedly there are also some beautiful women around this part of the world... Work however, is a great diversion a...

Here´s a few photos from my first few days in Bilbao - The world famous Gugenheim Museum and its spider I didn´t even go in to this museum as the main exhibition was about Aztec stuff and I thought a month in Mexico was enough for me. It´s pretty cool though and on the other side away from the river it is guarded by a fearsome giant puppy made of flowers... La Playa de Gorliz, the beach at the end of the Metro (BBK) Tomorrow I think the Bilbao Renault World Series starts and goes for 3 days...fast cars, small towns etc... It is a street circuit like Monaco so should be pretty cool, hopefully more passing options than Monaco though. I wanna see some crashes! Bilbao World Series of Renault

All the women (aside from going topless on the beach) have these really bad Joe Dirt-like haircuts. It is the latest fashion here, but I think this time the fashion gurus have it all wrong. "Can I have a look at your Lonely Planet?" Yesterday I went to the beach at the end of the Metro, near a town called Plentzia. The beach was called Gorliz and was a sheltered bay with a few big and disused buildings along the waterfront. Anyway the beach was packed with locals, a veritable banquet for the eyes. Met a ex-soldier from Norway (Tarje - I called him Terry) and his ex-girlfriend Nina who spoke four different languages, studied linguistics and was from Germany/Austria. We ended up having a few beers on the beach and carried that on when we got back to Bilbao where we met up with some classic American college guys (some of which had the classic "Revenge of the Nerds" haircuts). We ended up at locked in a bar with a Spanish girl (can´t remember her name) after everyt...

howdy all, and so begins my first backpacking mission in a "1st world country". i have landed in spain. bilbao to be precise - home of the famous gugenheim museum, basically yhe only museum more famous for its outside than what artifacts it has stolen from around the world. nice one bilbao! took a ryanair flight from stansted to santander, booked a bit late and it cost me around 100 quid. there is absolutely nowhere to put your legs aye, built for irish midgets i reckon. decided to jump on a bus to bilbao after all that (met a nice, friendly girl from leeds), and will park up here until something else tickles my fancy. we got given a free spanish classic novel on the bus "Torquemada en la hoguera" - first clas, luxury bus...this town is so chilled out, i instantly love spain! and the metro is cheap too! rooster if you´re reading this, my phone ran out of money when you called me (global roaming charges like a wounded bull). need to fix that. my phone has found a ...

slightly surreal as it has all been for most so far, these blasts will no doubt make people more vigilant in the next few weeks - but how long will that/can that last? it's not a healthy state of being - suspicion, paranoia. London has been damned lucky, this sort of thing happens almost every day in Iraq. Ahh, things were so much simpler back amongst the green, green grass and open expanses of home. i'm off to spain on sunday or monday. probably the northern coast toward Bilbao and San Sebastian.

my cell number is - 078 3721 0988 (plus UK dialling codes). address - 39 Mildenhall Street, Clapton, London, E5-0RT